NFL Nation: Casey Wieggman

One of the main objectives in Kansas City during the OTAs is to get expected new starting center Rodney Hudson up to speed at his position.

Hudson, a second-round draft choice in 2011, is expected to take over as the center. Former starter Casey Wiegmann is expected to retire. The Chiefs took Hudson as a guard/center prospect out of Florida State with an eye on him starting in his second season.

Even though Hudson didn’t play center in college, the Chiefs are confident in him. He has looked strong in OTAs thus far, Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel said.

“One of the things that we wanted to see is what kind of command that he would take of the offensive line,” Crennel told reporters in Kansas City on Friday. “It looks like he’s doing a nice job of it because he’s been asked to (identify) the (middle linebacker) and re-ID on front. He seems to be handling that pretty well. I think that group is working well together. I think that they’re developing that chemistry that you want on your offensive line. So, he’s doing well.”

Hudson practiced at center in college and last year as a rookie. Crennel believes because Hudson is intelligent and competitive, he will have no problem adjusting to the position when the season starts.